[ski_resort_observer]

Originally Posted by Waldo

I am going to be staying off –trail in a tent. Ideally I would like summits but also be around some body of water if possible. Also trying to avoid the crowd, I know is going to be tough over Labor Day. I am afraid most of the places I am really open to anything though, I like everything and don’t really have something particular in mind. Just need to get away!

I think it's hard to pick places to backpack since there are so many possibilities. I assume the White's are the closest to you but the Daks and northwest Maine have great hiking as well. Evan's Notch/Blueberry Mt area is a personal fav in nw Maine. Being a holiday weekend the roads, the parking lots and the lower elevations will be busy but if pick a route with sections away from the crowds, those places should not be so busy.

IMHO I don't think the Long Trail will be as busy as the White's or the Dak's. For peak bagging doing the LT between Middl Gap and Johnson, for example, will be semi-busy around Lincoln Gap, Camel's Hump and Mt Mansfield but most of the hike should be not to busy . Not much water but lots of summits and views.